FEDERAL POLICY TRACKER.
Federal cannabis policy is in flux. This tracker shows every federal rule that affects veterans, its current status, and its veteran impact. The timeline below shows how we got here.
Current Federal Rules
ATF Form 4473 — Firearms and Cannabis Use
Federal law prohibits any unlawful user of a controlled substance from possessing firearms or ammunition. Cannabis remains federally illegal, making any cannabis user a prohibited person under federal firearms law.
VETERAN IMPACT
Veterans who use cannabis, even legally under state law, are federally prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms. This is a significant concern for many veterans.
DOT Drug Testing for Safety-Sensitive Positions
DOT-regulated employers must test for marijuana. Medical marijuana cards do not exempt employees from DOT drug testing requirements. A positive test results in removal from safety-sensitive duties.
VETERAN IMPACT
Veterans working in trucking, aviation, rail, transit, or pipeline safety positions can lose their job for cannabis use even with a state medical card.
Federal Employment Drug Testing Policies
Federal employees are subject to drug-free workplace policies. Cannabis use, even legal under state law, can result in disciplinary action for federal employees.
VETERAN IMPACT
Veterans employed by the federal government, including many VA employees and military reservists, can face employment consequences for cannabis use.
Military Reserve and National Guard Cannabis Policy
Cannabis use is prohibited for all service members, including reservists and National Guard. Positive drug tests result in disciplinary action up to discharge.
VETERAN IMPACT
Veterans serving in the Reserve or National Guard cannot use cannabis, even in legal states, without risking their military status.
Interstate Transport of Cannabis
Transporting cannabis across state lines remains a federal crime regardless of state legalization status.
VETERAN IMPACT
Veterans who travel between states with cannabis, even between two legal states, commit a federal offense.
VA Research on Cannabis and PTSD
VA has supported and continues to support research on cannabis effects on veterans, including PTSD studies. No VA clinical practice guideline for cannabis currently exists.
VETERAN IMPACT
Veterans may be eligible to participate in VA cannabis research studies, but VA does not recommend cannabis as a treatment.
DEA Rescheduling Hearing Process
DEA initiated formal rulemaking proceedings to consider rescheduling cannabis. Hearings are ongoing as of 2025-2026.
VETERAN IMPACT
The outcome will determine whether federal cannabis penalties decrease and research expands. No change has taken effect yet.
HHS Recommends Rescheduling Cannabis to Schedule III
In August 2023, HHS sent a recommendation to DEA to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. The DEA review process is ongoing.
VETERAN IMPACT
If rescheduled to Schedule III, federal penalties would decrease, research access would improve, and VA research could expand. Firearms and VA property restrictions would likely remain.
VA Policy on Marijuana Use by Veterans
Veterans will not be denied VA benefits because they use marijuana. VA providers cannot recommend medical marijuana. VA pharmacies do not dispense marijuana. Marijuana is not allowed on VA property.
VETERAN IMPACT
Veterans can tell their VA doctor about cannabis use without losing benefits, but cannot get cannabis through the VA or use it on VA property.
Cannabis Classified as Schedule I Under Federal Law
Cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. Schedule I means high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use, and lack of accepted safety.
VETERAN IMPACT
Federal Schedule I status means cannabis is illegal at the federal level regardless of state law, affecting veterans on federal property, in federal jobs, and in VA facilities.
Policy Timeline
DEA held administrative hearings on cannabis rescheduling
Administrative law judge hearings began to consider evidence for and against rescheduling.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Hearings will determine whether rescheduling proceeds. Process may extend into 2026 or beyond.
DEA rescheduling hearings continued into late 2025
Administrative hearings on cannabis rescheduling continued through 2025 with no final decision.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Veterans should continue monitoring for a final DEA decision, which could change federal cannabis policy.
DEA published notice of proposed rulemaking to reschedule marijuana
DEA formally began the rulemaking process to consider rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
The rescheduling process is ongoing. No change has taken effect. Veterans should monitor for updates.
HHS recommended to DEA that cannabis be rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule III
HHS conducted a scientific review and sent a rescheduling recommendation to DEA.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Initiated the first serious federal rescheduling process in decades. Outcome would affect all federal cannabis policy for veterans.
Veterans Equal Access amendment added to appropriations bill
Amendment would allow VA providers to discuss and recommend medical cannabis in legal states.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Would change VA provider ability to discuss cannabis with veterans. Has not become law.
President issued pardon for federal simple possession of marijuana offenses
Presidential pardon applied to federal simple possession convictions. Did not apply to state convictions or other federal cannabis offenses.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Some veterans with federal simple possession convictions may be eligible for pardon.
VA Medical Cannabis Research Act introduced
Bill would authorize VA to conduct and support clinical research on cannabis and its effects on veterans.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Would expand veteran-specific cannabis research. Has not become law.
MORE Act passed the House (did not become law)
Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act passed the House but did not pass the Senate.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Showed congressional movement toward descheduling, but federal legalization has not occurred.
MORE Act passed House for first time
First time a chamber of Congress passed a bill to deschedule cannabis.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Signaled shifting federal policy landscape for veterans.
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act
Hemp (cannabis with less than 0.3% THC) was descheduled, legalizing hemp-derived CBD and other products federally.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Made hemp-derived CBD products legal and accessible to veterans nationwide, though FDA regulation remains limited.
VA issued policy clarifying that veterans who use marijuana will not lose VA benefits
VA clarified that cannabis use alone does not disqualify veterans from VA benefits, though VA cannot recommend or dispense cannabis.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Allowed veterans to discuss cannabis with VA providers without fear of losing benefits.
Colorado and Washington became first states to legalize adult-use cannabis
Voters approved adult-use legalization, beginning the recreational cannabis era.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Created legal adult-use access for veterans in these states.
Rohrabacher-Farr amendment first passed, prohibiting DOJ from interfering with state medical cannabis programs
Annual appropriations rider preventing DOJ from using funds to interfere with state-legal medical cannabis programs.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Provided some protection for state medical cannabis programs serving veterans.
California Proposition 215 passed, making California the first state to legalize medical cannabis
Voters approved medical cannabis use for qualifying conditions including chronic pain and other conditions.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Began the state-level medical cannabis movement that veterans now navigate.
Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act enacted, placing cannabis in Schedule I
The Controlled Substances Act classified cannabis as Schedule I, the most restrictive category.
VETERAN RELEVANCE
Established the federal legal framework that still governs veterans and cannabis today.
DISCLAIMER
This page is educational and does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or individualized healthcare recommendations. Cannabis affects people differently and carries risks. Always discuss medical decisions, medication changes, and cannabis use with a qualified healthcare professional. Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Always confirm current law through official government sources.
CONTINUE READING
50-State Guide
How your state law interacts with federal law
READPTSD & Cannabis
VA clinical guidance on cannabis and PTSD
READHarm Reduction
Drug testing and employment considerations
READResearch Library
Federal research restrictions and current studies
READEditorial Process
How we verify federal policy information
READVeteran Stories
How federal policy affects real veterans
READIF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, HELP IS AVAILABLE NOW.
Cannabis is not a crisis treatment. If you are struggling, please reach out to the resources below. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
VA Mental Health
VA offers mental health services for veterans. Contact your VA medical center or call 1-800-273-8255.
MENTALHEALTH.VA.GOVSAMHSA Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral. Call 1-800-662-4357. Available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
SAMHSA.GOVCONTACT INFORMATION VERIFIED AGAINST OFFICIAL SOURCES. ALWAYS CONFIRM CURRENT NUMBERS DIRECTLY. CANNABIS IS NOT PRESENTED AS A CRISIS TREATMENT.